ANIMAL WELFARE

Evening Star, Issue 22890, 23 February 1938, Page 18

ANIMAL WELFARE

ANNUAL MEETING OF S.P.C.A. Tho fifty-sixth annual meeting of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was hold in Mr E. S. Wilson’s board room yesterday afternoon. The Hon. W. Downio Stewart occupied tho chair. Presenting the annual report and balance sheet the Chairman said that the year’s results had been most encouraging in every respect. Tho efforts of the society had continued to meet with support from the public. There had been one prosecution and 13 cases dealt with for cruelty, but the value of these was that they acted as a deterrent to other people, showing that the inspector was alert. The preventive work suggested in the title of the socity was more important than any punitive measures. The inspector had covered a very large area in the course of his duties during 1937, going as far north as Oamaru, as far south as Tapanui. and as far inland as Glonorchy. It was only by public support that tho society could carry on, and he would like to see more annual subscribers. He was sure many people who were shocked when reading acts of cruelty would be pleased to nelp the society, but they did not always know how to go about it. Tho Chairman expressed a hope that during the forthcoming year the financial position might be aided byj further legacies. It was gratifying, the speaker concluded, to realise the amount of educational work being done amongst young people. This was of very great' value, and should be encouraged. In seconding the adoption of the report, Mr Crosby Morris made brief reference to the financial position. The year had finished with a surplus of £ll4. but the receipts included the sum of £143 from interest. Had it not been for this amount it would have proved a bad year. Additional membership was certainly required. The society had been in existence for more than 50 years, and the work had been carried out during 1937 as it had been throughout the period of the society s existence. He contended the public should bo kept aware of what the society was doing.. The report and* balance sheet were adopted.

ELECTION OP OFFICE BEARERS,

The election of office-bearers resulted: President, Hon. W. Dwme Stewart; vice-presidents —• Messrs Crosby Morris, E. O. Reynolds, J. O. Willis; committee—-the Mayor (Rev. E. T. Cox), Messrs G. L. Nelson, r. Elliott, J. R. Dickinson, S. P. Leith, D. M'Lennan, W. Cooper, J. Gordon, A. Lawrenson, R. Fountain, G. Mathieson, D. C. Cameron, J. M. Fraser, J. Henderson, R. T. Kirk; hon. treasurer Mr E. C. Reynolds; secretary, Mr E S. Wilson; hon. auditors, Messrs J S. MTnnes and Sons; hon. solicitors —Messrs R. R. Grigor and J. A. Watters (Balclutlia). R- C. Moore (Lawrence), K. G. Roy (Port Chalmers), Messrs Bodkin and Sunderland (Alexandra), C. H. M‘Kay (Queenstown), Hjorring, Tait, and Farrell and J. H. Mam (Oamaru), Arkle and Rolle (Palmerston), Broderick and Parcel! (Cromwell), R. M. Rutherford and G. H. Thomson (Milton). I. J- Fraser (Ranfurly), W. A. Harlow (Clyde), W. B. Naylor (Tapanui), L. J. U. Arthur (Heriot), Brugh, Calvert, and Barrowclough, W. L. Moore. Ramsay and Haggitt, Solomon, Gascoigne, Solomon, and Sinclair, A. G. Neill, A. C Stephens, E. A. Duncan, Adams Bros., and B. S. Irwin (Dunedin) : hon. veterinary surgeons, Messrs C. V. Dayus (Dunedin) and G. M Donald (Balclutha).